About Me

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

Did you miss us last week? My Inbox says HELL YES so apologies for that. Imma juggling 2 jobs, a full time blog and raising a family here peeps - I know you get this, I know I don't have to explain but I always feel the guilt - it's a Mammy thing. BUT we're not here for apologies, we're here to see how these new beauts perform, right? Right!1. Model Co More Brows: €12 HereA tiny little contender to the Benefit Gimme Brow crown, Model Co's More Brows is a more affordable purch at half the price. Packaging is identical and the premise too, a coloured fibre/gel hybrid that sticks to both hair and skin giving the illusion of thicker brows. It's instant, quick drying and will have your brows sorted with zero effort at all. I won't be giving up my Gimme Brow any time soon, because frankly it's better quality, but as a more affordable offering, More Brows is a definite winner. 2. Rimmel Provocalips: £6.99 Here

The edgier sister of Rimmel Apocalips , these 7 new shades take long wear to the next level. Double ended, you apply the highly pigmented lacquer first and allow to dry. Next up is the clear gloss to add high shine and to refresh your look through the day. I don't think I've ever owned/used a product that lasts as long as Provocalips does. I applied Kiss Fatal at 10am, promptly forgot about it (they're weightless on the lip) and it was only at lunchtime, 1.15, when a colleague asked what I was wearing, that I remembered I was wearing anything at all. It still looked brand new.

A word of warning - though saturated in colour and a cinch to wear, you should make sure your lips are in top condition before applying. Not moisturised but prepped (I give mine a little scrub with my toothbrush when brushing my teeth). Once you've applied both steps don't, as I tried to do, top up with a different colour. You'll end up with a goopy mess & no one wants that. A second word of warning - there is zero room for error here, as the lacquer STAINS. Use a steady hand and go slow for instant, dramatic colour. All in all if you're looking for unparalleled wear time in a lippie, you're looking for Provocalips. 3. Bourjois Smoky Stories Palettes: €11 Here

Part of the A/W Bourjois launch, these Smoky Stories palettes were the one product I was itching for from the French beauty brand. They haven't disappointed. The creamy velvet texture makes the smokey eye of your choice child's play. The multi faceted glitter shades in each palette have to be used to be fully appreciated and remind me instantly of the 'Pop' shades in Charlotte Tilbury's luxury quads (though they're softer).

Each shade is buildable, effortlessly blendable and the glitter, as a showstopping highlight, brings your look to the next level. Bourjois have long been a favourite for their shadow formulation and I'd happily place these Smoky palettes alongside some of my high end purchases 4 and 5 times their price. Get to Boots - Bring your swatching fingers!

The original Volume 1 Seconde was a stand out mascara for me this year so I was thrilled to see an Ultra Black iteration make its way to our shelves. The patented brush is the same, one of my most loved shapes, with spherical bristles in among the straight sweeping ones to cover every last lash with ease. While I didn't find this newer version 'ultra' black, I do prefer it to its predecessor in terms of longevity. Again Bourjois prove they can hold their own with high end beauty heavy weights. I've reached for this tube more than any other in the past fortnight because I know it will just work. You can't always say that with mascara. (Keep an eye on Insta today, I'll pop up a pic) 5. Shu Uemura Color Lustre: Starts €24.96 Here

I'm genuinely very lucky in that I get to try high end products that I couldn't afford to buy in another life. Well I could afford them but I couldn't also afford to eat. This new range from Shu Uemura, though spendy, gives me the fear in that Imma want to buy it again and again and again. The first haircare line proven to replenish hairs natural varnish, restructure the surface and prevent colour fade, if you spend a lot on your colour, this really is an investment worth making. Infused with Musk Rose Oil and Goji Berry Extract, the Color Lustre line is simply a beautiful shampoo to use. I'm down to washing twice a week now and even so, my blonde locks seem brighter, less brassy and smoother than before. I'll definitely be repurchasing.

6. The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Eye Concentrate: €28.50 HereEnriched with plant stem cells, these Drops of Youth promise to reduce eye bags, encourage cell renewal and help eyes appear less tired. When I was going through my post at 1 am last week and these popped out, it was as though a manna from heaven. While I haven't had them long enough to show any lasting effect, the one pump delivery and the cool metallic roller ball applicator are the most impressive packaging I've used from an eye product. Instantly cooling and with a noticeable reduction in puffiness from the first couple of uses, I'll be keeping these drops close to hand for my burny, burny eyeballs and will update the post when we've become better acquainted. 7. Eau De Gaga: €26 Here

I have a troubled relationship with celebrity fragrances, I'll be the first to admit it. Most I'm happy to let pass on by, though to this day I hold Halle Berry's Closer as one of my top five scents. (David Beckham's offerings are surprisingly swish too). I wasn't hugely enthused when I learned of Mzz Gaga's second foray into the olfactory world as her Lady Gaga Fame EDT really didn't wow me when it hit counters last year. Eau de Gaga is different. A more complex scent than its sugary sweet precursor, this unisex fragrance brings a whole lot more bang for your buck. The floral note here is woody but almost drowned entirely by bright lime.The white violet heart on a leather base will no doubt draw comparisons to Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather but still, I just couldn't make it my own. On paper it's everything I love in a fragrance, masculine and sensual with a kick of something bright but ultimately it's just not for me. The finished product belies it's budget price tag and I can see this being hugely popular come gift giving season. I've since payed it forward to Aaron's gal pal and she is completely smitten. Sinéad of Viva Adonis fame is also a ha-YOOGE fan, check her thoughts here & maybe get to a counter & tell me which side you land on. Eau de Gaga, like the woman herself, is a divider of opinion. That's not always a bad thing. Anything here giving you the want? Fancy seeing the results of the second batch of trials before the end of this week? Lemme know!